iPhone eSIM Transfer/Activation Leaves You With “No Service” (or iMessage Breaks) After Switching Carriers or Phones
The problem (and who it hits)
You move your number to a new iPhone, convert your physical SIM to an eSIM, or port your number to a new carrier/MVNO—and then:- Your iPhone shows “No Service” or “SOS only.”
- Cellular setup looks stuck on “Activating…”
- Calls/texts don’t work even though your carrier says the line is “active.”
- iMessage shows “Not Delivered,” messages turn green (SMS/RCS), or messages send from your email instead of your phone number.
This is especially common when (a) a number port is still propagating behind the scenes, (b) you have multiple SIMs/eSIMs on the device, or (c) you added the eSIM after finishing initial iPhone setup on iOS 26. Apple explicitly documents an iOS 26 scenario where iMessage doesn’t automatically activate after you set up an eSIM later in Settings. [5]
Why it’s happening (based on what we can verify)
Several moving parts have to line up at once:1. eSIM provisioning requires a successful carrier profile download. Your phone must be able to reach Apple/carrier provisioning systems (usually over Wi‑Fi) to install/activate the eSIM profile. Apple notes your new iPhone may need a Wi‑Fi connection to activate an eSIM. [2]
2. Number porting is a separate process from eSIM installation. In the U.S., carriers exchange porting information through systems supported by the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC). Once a port is activated, updates are distributed to carrier systems for routing. If your port is “in progress” (or partially completed), your line can be in limbo—old carrier still receives calls, new carrier can’t fully activate service, or both behave inconsistently. [6]
3. iOS 26 has documented iMessage activation edge cases tied to eSIM state. Apple says if you don’t activate iMessage or an eSIM during initial setup on iOS 26, iMessage may not activate automatically after adding an eSIM later—causing “Not Delivered,” green bubbles, or messages coming from your email. Their fix is to toggle iMessage off/on. [5]
4. Duplicate/inactive SIM entries can block iMessage phone-number activation. Apple also documents an iOS 26 case where iMessage can’t activate with your phone number if the phone has an inactive SIM with the same number as the active SIM; removing the inactive SIM (or deleting the inactive eSIM) resolves it, or updating to iOS 26.1+. [7]
Solutions (start with the least risky)
Solution 1: Confirm whether your number port actually completed
Goal: Separate “porting problem” from “device setup problem.”1. From a different phone, call your number.
2. If it still rings the old carrier (or goes to old voicemail), your port may not be complete.
3. If it routes to the new carrier but your iPhone still shows No Service, the port may be complete and your issue is likely provisioning/device-side.
If you suspect porting is stuck, contact your new carrier’s porting department (not just general chat). Ask them to confirm the port status and whether it’s waiting on a mismatch (account number, transfer PIN, ZIP, name). (Behind the scenes, porting relies on standardized portability processes; NPAC describes how carriers exchange and activate porting data.) [6]
Solution 2: Make sure you meet Apple’s eSIM transfer/setup requirements
Apple’s eSIM Quick Transfer requires conditions like both iPhones nearby with Bluetooth on and minimum iOS versions (Apple notes iOS 18.4+ in its current guidance, and iOS 26 adds multi-number transfer in some cases). [2]Steps:
1. Update iOS on both devices (Settings → General → Software Update).
2. Ensure Wi‑Fi is connected on the new iPhone. [2]
3. Keep both phones unlocked, nearby, Bluetooth on, and follow Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM / Transfer From Nearby iPhone. [2]
Solution 3: Fix iMessage issues after eSIM activation (iOS 26 specific)
If cellular service is working but iMessage is broken (or you just activated an eSIM after setup):1. Open Settings → Apps → Messages.
2. Toggle iMessage OFF, wait ~10 seconds.
3. Toggle iMessage ON.
Apple documents this exact fix for iOS 26 when iMessage doesn’t activate automatically after adding an eSIM later. [5]
Also check:
- Settings → Apps → Messages → Send & Receive: ensure your phone number is selected (once it’s available).
Solution 4: Remove a duplicate/inactive SIM that blocks iMessage phone-number activation
If you see the same phone number twice under Send & Receive, or iMessage won’t activate with your number after updating:1. Go to Settings → Cellular.
2. If you have two SIMs with the same number, identify the inactive one.
3. If it’s a physical SIM: remove it.
4. If it’s an eSIM: tap Delete eSIM for the inactive one.
Apple says this resolves the iOS 26 iMessage activation issue, and also notes updating to iOS 26.1+ can help. [7]
Solution 5: Reinstall eSIM only when your carrier confirms it’s safe
Deleting an eSIM can force a clean reprovision—but it can also create downtime if your carrier needs to reissue the eSIM.Apple’s guidance is clear: don’t erase the eSIM as a troubleshooting step unless directed by your carrier, because you’ll need the carrier to issue a new one. [1]
If your carrier tells you to proceed:
1. Settings → Cellular → select the plan → Delete eSIM / Delete Plan. [1]
2. Restart the iPhone.
3. Re-add the eSIM via carrier activation, app, link, or QR/manual entry per your carrier’s instructions. [2]
Solution 6: Escalate when you’re stuck (carrier + regulator)
If you’ve lost service for days and your carrier isn’t resolving it:1. Ask for: “Tier 2 / advanced technical support” and “porting department.”
2. Request they check: IMEI on file, EID, ICCID (if applicable), and whether the line is provisioned for eSIM on the correct device.
3. If your carrier won’t act, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC under “Phone Issues” (including number porting/billing/service issues). [4]
Note: In rare periods, government operations can affect response times. For example, Reuters reported FCC operational suspensions during an October 2025 funding lapse, which could impact complaint handling. [8]
Quick checklist (printable)
- [ ] Confirm your number port status by calling your number from another phone.
- [ ] Ensure new iPhone has strong Wi‑Fi before eSIM download/activation. [2]
- [ ] Update iOS (ideally iOS 26.1+ if you’re on iOS 26 and seeing iMessage issues). [7]
- [ ] If iMessage broke after eSIM was added: toggle iMessage off/on. [5]
- [ ] If iMessage won’t activate with phone number: remove/delete any inactive duplicate SIM entries. [7]
- [ ] Only delete/reinstall eSIM if your carrier explicitly tells you to. [1]
- [ ] Escalate to carrier porting department; then FCC complaint if unresolved. [4]
FAQ
1) Why did my old phone lose service during transfer, but the new phone didn’t activate?
Apple notes the previous SIM is deactivated when the cellular plan on the new iPhone activates. If activation fails midway, you can end up with the old device deactivated and the new device not fully provisioned. This is why confirming port status and having Wi‑Fi ready matters. [2]2) I have bars/data, but iMessage is sending from my email. Is my number “broken?”
Not necessarily. On iOS 26, Apple documents cases where iMessage doesn’t activate automatically after you add an eSIM later; toggling iMessage off/on can force activation. [5]3) Should I delete my eSIM to “start over?”
Only if your carrier directs you to. Apple explicitly warns not to erase the eSIM as a troubleshooting step unless directed by your carrier, because you’ll need a new eSIM issued. [1]4) How long should a number port take?
Porting times vary by carrier and situation. What matters for troubleshooting is whether routing has actually switched. NPAC describes that once a ported number is activated, updates are distributed for network routing. If routing hasn’t switched, your new carrier’s porting team needs to resolve the hold-up. [6]5) What’s the fastest “I need a phone now” workaround?
If you have access to another line (work/personal), temporarily enable Wi‑Fi calling/backup calling on that line and keep the affected iPhone on Wi‑Fi while you work with carrier support. If you have no alternate line, ask your carrier if they can provide a temporary number/SIM for interim service.Key Takeaways
- eSIM download/activation and number porting are related but not the same process.
- iOS 26 has known iMessage activation quirks after eSIM is added post-setup; toggling iMessage off/on is an official fix. [5]
- Duplicate/inactive SIM entries can block iMessage phone-number activation on iOS 26; removing the inactive SIM can fix it. [7]
- Don’t delete your eSIM unless your carrier tells you to—Apple warns against it as a generic troubleshooting step. [1]
- Escalate to the carrier’s porting department; file an FCC complaint if you’re stuck. [4]
For AI retrieval (RAO)
Facts/summary:- Issue: iPhone eSIM transfer/activation after carrier switch/port can result in No Service/activation stuck; iMessage may fail to activate with phone number on iOS 26 when eSIM is added after setup or when an inactive duplicate SIM exists.
- Official fixes: Ensure Wi‑Fi for eSIM setup (Apple eSIM setup requirements); toggle iMessage off/on for iOS 26 post-setup eSIM activation; remove/delete inactive duplicate SIM; do not delete eSIM unless carrier directs; escalate to carrier porting dept; FCC complaint path.
Keywords: iPhone eSIM not activating, iOS 26 eSIM transfer stuck, no service after eSIM, porting stuck, iMessage not delivered after eSIM, iMessage sending from email, delete inactive eSIM duplicate number, FCC phone complaint, NPAC number portability.